There are now over 900 R2 Certified facilities in the world! R2 Certification means these facilities are reusing or recycling their electronics in a way that promotes resource preservation, environmental sustainability and the ongoing health and safety of both employees and the world at large.
The New R2 Certification Model
R2:2013 is the current model of the standard, but SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International), the governing body of the standard, has announced a new version. R2v3 is expected to be finalized later in 2019, with 18-24 months given to allow to transition to the new standard.
The next phase in the revision process is the review of the almost 500 comments submitted. After the R2 Technical Advisory (TAC) has completed the review, comments will be published on this webpage along with responses from the TAC. Multiple public comment periods may be initiated as the TAC makes additional changes to the R2v3 draft. The final version of the R2v3 Standard is expected to be completed and approved in late 2019.
Timelines for Shifting R2 Certification to R2v3
Deadline for companies pursuing certification to the old R2:2013 Standard
Once R2v3 is released, organizations in the process of certifying to the old R2:2013 version will have no more than 6 months to finish the registration audit (Stage 2). After the six-month deadline, Certification Bodies will no longer be permitted to conduct R2:2013 registration audits for certifications.
Transition timeline for currently certified R2:2013 facilities
R2:2013 Certificates that expire within the first 12 months after the release of the new R2v3 Standard may be recertified to R2:2013, however, the expiration date on the certificate can be no later than December 31, 2022. Any R2:2013 certificate that expires AFTER the 12-month period will be required to be upgraded to the new R2v3 Standard.
Final transition deadline for R2:2013 certificates
No R2:2013 certificates will be issued with an expiration date beyond the final transition deadline of December 31, 2022. All R2:2013 Certificates will expire on or before this date.
Staggered transition plan provides R2 certified facilities a minimum of one year
To plan for and transition expiring certificates to R2v3. It will take a few years for all expiring R2 certificates to cycle through and transition to R2v3. Linking transition deadlines to the expiration date on R2:2013 certificates is intended to balance the workload for the certification bodies and avoid an overload of facilities trying to transition at the last minute. It will also maintain consistency with the 3-year cycle for the required EH&S certifications as well. R2:2013 Certified facilities may transition to R2v3 prior to the expiration date on their R2:2013 certificate depending on the availability of auditors and the agreement of their Certification Body.
Learn More At Our Free Webinar!
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 2 PM – 3 PM (Eastern). Led by Scott Jones, Founder & President, Glacier Consulting. Member of R2 TAC, R2 Lead Auditor. Educational, no obligation, free to attend. Bring your questions!
